Islamabad, 03 May 2010: President Asif Ali Zardari has impressed upon the need for ROZ (Reconstruction Opportunity Zones) legislation in order to enable goods manufactured in special Pakistani zones find easy access to world, especially the EU and the US markets. The President said that ROZs would be effective tool to give people hope for the better through creation of jobs and other economic opportunities, on one hand, and to address the issue of trust deficit, on the other.
He said this during his meeting with Congressional delegation headed by Representative Howard L. Berman, Chairman House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) at Aiwan-e-Sadar today.
The delegation comprised of Rep Heana Ros-Lehtinen, US House of Rep Ranking Member HFAC, Rep Russ Carnahan, US House of Rep Chairman HFAC Subcommittee on International Organization, Human Right & Oversight, Rep Ed Royee, US House of Rep Ranking Member HFAC Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-proliferation & Trade, Rep Mike McMahon, US House of Representatives Member, HFAC and Rep Brad Miller, US House of Representatives Member HFAC. Ms. Anne W. Patterson, US Ambassador was also present during the meeting.
The Pakistani side included Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Federal Minister for Defence, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Federal Minister for Interior, Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Dr. Adul Hafeez Sheikh, Finance Advisor, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Ms. Farahnaz Ispahani, Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary to the President, Lt. Gen. (R) Syed Athar Ali, Secretary Defence, Mr. Salman Bashir, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sibtain Fazl-e-Haleem, Secretary EAD and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar.
The President informed the delegation that during his recent tour to Khyber Pukhtoonkhwah and his meeting with the tribal elders, people asked him about the progress made in this regard. He called upon the visiting delegation to use their influence in expediting legislation on ROZs.
Pak-US bilateral relations, Pakistan’s role in the fight against militancy and terrorism and regional situation were also discussed during the meeting.
The President said that Pakistan has suffered tremendously in the global fight against militancy and finds its economy greatly ravaged by the war. Our hospitals, schools, universities, religious places, markets and government and defence establishments have especially been targeted by the militants but they never succeeded in overpowering our resolve to pursue our struggle to its logical end. Our determination stands beyond any doubt against those elements that not only wanted to hold us hostage to their narrow visions but are also a threat to the peace and stability of the international community.
He said that with this backdrop, Pakistan has been approaching its friends for assistance. We need assistance not only to rescue our war ravaged economy but also to create vistas of opportunities for our people in order to win the battle of hearts and minds, he remarked.
The President appreciating the role of security forces in the war against militancy said that our security forces have rendered great sacrifices against the militants and are acutely aware of their responsibility to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
He hoped that that the process of CSF reimbursement would also be expedited.
The President said that Pakistan has the biggest stake in regional peace and stability and welcomes every effort made in this regard.
The President appreciated Congress and Rep Howard L. Berman’s efforts for the Kerry-Lugar Bill in the Congress. He said that our priority, however, remains trade rather than aid and we want to strengthen our equation based on long-term mutual interests and shared goals.
He said that the democratic Pakistan understands the need for transparency and accountability not only towards US assistance but also its domestic finances so that the dividends of democracy could reach ordinary people in far flung areas.
The delegation thanked the President for meeting and assured that US would continue to support Pakistan in all possible manners.
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